August 26, 2004 Volume 25, No. 35Campus parking lot update The following changes have been or are being completed to parking lots around the West Gym and Events Center:

• Lot G has been reconfigured and renamed Lots F1 and F2. A new Lot G is being completed behind the West Gym.

• Islands and gates will be installed at all entrances and exits to Lots F, F1 and F2 to allow them to be reserved for University events without the need to assign staff to hold them. When the gates are lowered, they will open automatically so those parked in the lots may exit.

• The new Lot F3 and the new Lot G are for those who have purchased parking permits, as well as for special events.

Tuition assistance for employees Funding is expected for the first time in 18 months for several tuition assistance programs for University employees. The following options are available:

• The Space Available Program for UUP-represented employees covers tuition for one course during each semester taken at a SUNY-operated campus. Applications are approved for those courses not filled with tuition-paying students. Employees should not register for the course, but should apply directly to Employee Benefits as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the first week of classes (or September 7).

• The Tuition Waiver Program for University and Research Foundation employees: the percentage of tuition waived depends on the applicant’s full-time employment status, the degree to which the course is job-related and the amount of available funding. For more information about the Space Available and Tuition Waiver programs, stop by Employee Benefits (LSG-528), call 777-6952 or e-mail esinger@binghamton.edu.

• The NYS & CSEA Partnership (formerly LEAP) for CSEA-represented employees provides a tuition voucher program or a tuition reimbursement benefit. Eligible employees may apply for two tuition benefits during the April 1, 2004 – March 31, 2005 span. For more information, call (800) 253-4332, and choose Option 2.

• The Management/Confidential Tuition Reimbursement Program for employees in Management/Confidential bargaining units reimburses tuition costs for both credit and non-credit career-related courses. For more information, log onto http://www.goer.state.ny.us/mc/mctuition.html.

CDC honored for excellence Binghamton University’s Career Development Center received an Award for Excellence in Programming from the SUNY Career Development Organization for “Tap Your Passion: Explore Careers That Make The World a Better Place.”

The program raised awareness of nonprofit and government career opportunities in a weeklong series of programs held in February.

Key elements included discussions by alumni about their passion for work in public service and nonprofit careers; faculty sharing experiences and advice about careers in the public sector; students speaking of their commitment to social action and its relation to their careers; alumni and students pursuing a year of service opportunities; and representatives speaking about federal government and AmeriCorps opportunities.

O’Geen joins Continuing Ed Roni O’Geen has been hired as academic adviser for undergraduate non-degree and continuing education students. O’Geen’ s office is in LNG-318. She can be reached at 777-4866 or vogeen@binghamton.edu.

Perry, Reitz to perform Binghamton clarinetist Timothy Perry and pianist Margaret Reitz will perform “Voices From Home and Distant Lands” at 8 p.m. Friday, September 10, in the Anderson Center Chamber Hall. The concert will feature the music of Argentina, India, Egypt and Hungary, as well as American classics by Gershwin, Barber and Bernstein.

Cellist Hakan Tayga-Hromek joins the duo, as does guest artist saxophonist April Lucas, to premiere a new work by Binghamton University composer Timothy Rolls.

Sponsored by the Music Department, tickets are $15 general public, $13 BU faculty/staff and seniors, and $7 students. Call 777-ARTS, visit the Anderson Center Box Office noon-5:30 p.m. weekdays, order on-line at http://anderson.binghamton.edu or buy tickets at the door.

University Chorus sets auditions Auditions for the Binghamton University Chorus will be held from 8:15-9:30 p.m. Monday, August 30, in FA-28. If necessary, additional auditions will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 6, same location. Bring a song to sing or be prepared to sing “My Country ’Tis of Thee.”Rehearsals are 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays. This season’s performances include “How Can I Keep from Singing?” on November 14 and a concert with the University Orchestra on April 16, 2005. For audition appointments, call the Music Dept. at 777-2592.

SBDC offers start-up training The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will offer a small business start-up training program at 224 Water Street, downtown Binghamton, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, September 1, 8 and 15. Participants will learn how to predict business success, finance and market products and services, and comply with government regulations.

The cost for all three classes is $60 but individual sessions may be attended for $20 each. Enrollment is limited. For more information and to enroll, contact Ginny Thompson at 777-4323.

Wygmans named TRIO director Martha “Marty” Wygmans has been appointed director of TRIO Programs. A federally funded program, TRIO provides educational opportunities to help low-income Americans enter college. It includes the Upward Bound and Student Support Services programs.

Wygmans comes to Binghamton from Illinois Valley Community College, where she has been director of Student Support Services since 1997. She has also served as dean of freshmen, director of counseling and co-coordinator of a Lilly Foundation grant at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana, and director of special populations and career planning coordinator at Jackson Community College in Michigan.

Former University librarian Marion Hanscom, dies at 76 Marion Hanscom, 76, long-time Binghamton University librarian, died Thursday, August 19.

She worked for the University libraries for 37 years as head of special collections, fine arts librarian and archivist of the Max Reinhardt Archive.

Following her retirement from full-time employment in 1991, Hanscom continued on a part-time basis until 2002, when she worked as special assistant to the director.

She also served as director of the Friends of the Library and remained active in that position, organizing lectures and trips to places such as Longwood Gardens and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Honored by the Broome County Status of Women Council in 1997 as one of their “Women of Achievement,” Hanscom earned the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship in 1980.

She volunteered her time to the Cider Mill Playhouse, the Binghamton University Foundation and UUP and was a member of University Women and the Binghamton Shakespeare Club.

Hanscom is survived by her husband, Roger Craig; her daughter and son-in-law, Carol Hanscom and Thomas Kremer; a brother and sister-in-law; and three step-children.

A memorial service was held earlier this week. Those wishing to make donations in Hanscom’s memory may do so to the Binghamton University Department of Theatre through the Binghamton University Foundation, or the bell choirs of West Presbyterian Church in Binghamton.